The history of commemorative stamps

A commemorative stamp is a stamp issued to honour a specific place, event, person or object, usually for a limited time and in limited quantities. The UK’s first commemorative set appeared in 1924, and Royal Mail has released many themed sets since.

What is a commemorative stamp?

A commemorative stamp is issued on a specific date to honour or commemorate a place, event, person or object, with the subject printed on the stamp. This makes it different from a definitive stamp – the everyday, long-running design. Postal services worldwide usually release several commemorative stamps each year, sold for a limited time and in limited quantities.

A brief history of commemorative stamps

• 1 May 1840 – the first postage stamp, the Penny Black, was released in the UK, bearing the head of Queen Victoria as part of the postal reforms.
• 1892 – the first “official” commemorative stamp, the Columbian Issue, was released in the USA to mark the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the New World.
• 23 April 1924 – the first UK commemorative set was released, designed by Harold Nelson to commemorate the British Empire Exhibition under King George V.
• 1929 – a set marked the 9th Postal Union Congress, which approved postage-paid franking – later leading to the development of the franking machine.
• 1948 – a set marked the first London Olympics; another London Olympic set followed in 2012.
• 1950s – sets broadened from the Royal family to other subjects, including the Festival of Britain (1951), the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II (1953) and Castles (1955).
• 1960s – many sets were released, including National Productivity Year (1962), the opening of the Forth Road Bridge (1964), the first Christmas set (1966) and Concorde’s first flight (1969).
• 1970s – 69 sets were released, 10 of them at Christmas.
• 1980s – nature themes led the way, including Butterflies (1981), British River Fishes (1983) and Insects (1985).
• 1990s – many animal sets, especially cats and dogs.
• 2000s – the Millennium series ran a set every month, and popular culture began to feature, from the 2002 World Cup to a Lord of the Rings set in 2004.
• 2010s onwards – popular culture themes continued, such as the Doctor Who set in 2013, broadening the appeal of commemorative stamps beyond collectors.

Frequently asked questions

What is a commemorative stamp?

A stamp issued to honour a specific place, event, person or object, usually sold for a limited time in limited quantities.

When was the first UK commemorative stamp set?

23 April 1924, marking the British Empire Exhibition.

How is a commemorative stamp different from a definitive stamp?

A commemorative stamp marks a specific subject and is issued for a limited time, whereas definitive stamps are the everyday, long-running designs.